Canopy frame for swings



May 19, 11936. WEAVER 2,@4-1,503

CANOPY FRAME FOR SWINGS Original Filed Oct. 26, 1954 21 Sheets-Sheet 1 T27- Z'ar/ Li Vdl er BY 5% riw ATTORN EY May 19, 1936. E, L. WEAVER (v CANOPY FRAME FOR SWINGS Original Filed Oct. 26, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mvNToR Ear/ LJ VeaL er BY 5% #5441 ATTORNEY Patented May 19, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Earl L. Weaver, Goshen,

Ind., assignor to Goshen Manufacturing Company, Goshen, Ind.

Original application 750,039. Divided October 26, 1934, Serial No. and this application May 10,

1935, Serial No. 20,787

16 Claims.

This is a division of my application, Serial No. 750,039, filed October 26, 1934, for swings.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an improved swing which has a long smooth gliding motion and which is substantially free of side sway in the gondola.

Second, to provide a swing of this character which is simple and economical in its parts and very efficient and effective in operation, the post and hanger arrangement being such that the occupants have a high visibility.

Third, to provide an improved awning frame for swings and the like, the frame being adapted to be readily collapsed and being simple and economical in its parts and strong and. sturdy in construction.

Objects relating to details and economies of my invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig 1 is a perspective view of a swing embodying features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary detail section showing how the hangers are pivoted to the corner posts or uprights.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the corner of the top of the swing, a portion of the corner of the fabric covering being broken away and shown in section to expose my improvements.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in side elevation of the top of the swing without its fabric cover.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modification of my swing awning frame.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the frame partially collapsed.

Fig; 7 is a top plan view of one of the bows.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially in side elevation and partially in section on a line corresponding to line 8-8 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially in side elevation and partially in section on a line corresponding to line 9-9 of Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings, the embodiment of my invention illustrated comprises a horizontal substantially rectangular top frame I having outwardly and downwardly inclined supporting posts 2' connected to the sides of the frame in spaced relation to the ends thereof as shown. A. gondola. 3 is hung from the posts or uprights 2' by hangers 4 so that the gondola is suspended and adapted to swing between the posts.

On the sides of the frame I, I mount upwardly projecting central members 5 to support the resilient strips 6 which are arched thereover, the ends of the strips being anchored to the ends of the frame by the corner brackets 1. The brackets are preferably of L shape and have one arm 9 projecting over the upper outer corner ID of the end of the frame as shown, to clamp the end of the strip thereto. The tendency of the strips to straighten out provides a very rigid construction, the centers of the strips being secured to the upper ends of the members 5. The fabric covering H is fitted over the strips 6 with its sides and ends hanging below the frame I as shown by Figs. 1 and 3.

The upper ends of the hangers 4, which are preferably formed of metal rod, are turned outwardly to provide journals through the bearings l3. These bearings have radial fins I 4 and are driven into the bores l5 provided therefor in the posts 2. The fins l4 prevent the bearings from turning in the bores and aid in holding the bearings in place in the posts. The outer end of the journal is provided with a nut l6 threaded thereon and separated from the bearing [3 by a tapered washer IT. This arrangement provides a smooth and easy operation of the gondola and eliminates side sway therein.

The use of metal hanger rods not only minimizes the eye obstruction, but also provides a much simpler and stronger construction. It also results in the elimination of side sway in the gondola, and provides a smooth and easy operation thereof. Thus, although my swing is light in weight and simple and economical in its parts, it is also strong and safe, and very efficient in operation.

Referring to Figs. 5 to 9, inclusive, of the drawings, is a swing awning frame comprising spaced parallel side members 4! and end members 42-, the end members being pivotally connected at their ends to the ends of the side mem-- bers at 43 so as to form a rectangle when open and a parallelogram when collapsed. Fig. 5 shows the frame open while Fig. 6 shows the frame partially collapsed.

Opposed central uprights 44 are pivoted to the side members 4! at 45, the central cross member 46 being pivotally connected at its ends to the upper ends of the uprights at 4! and 48. The connection 48 is preferably in the form of a bolt so that one end of the cross member 46 may be I2 which project 20 quickly and readily disconnected from the upright to collapse the parts with the side and end members of the frame.

The end members 42 are provided with inwardly facing upwardly inclined opposed sockets 49 receiving the tapered ends 50 of the resilient bows 5|, the bows being arched over the cross member 45 and resting thereon as shown by Fig. 5. The ends of the bows are detachably engaged in the sockets, the bows being adapted to be sprung upwardly to release the ends thereof from the end members. Thus, the awning frame is easily and quickly assembled or erected and may be knocked down and collapsed into a relatively small space by simply detaching the resilient bows from the end members and removing the single bolt 48. In erected position, the parts form a strong and rigid structure for the top of the swing.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in an embodiment which I find very practical. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Although I have shown and described a certain specific embodiment of my invention, I am fully aware that many modifications thereof are possible. My invention is therefore not to be restricted except in so far as is necessitated by the prior art and by the spirit of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A swing canopy comprising a substantially rectangular horizontal frame, central upwardly projecting members mounted on the sides of said frame, resilient side strips arched over said members and connected thereto, and means detachably anchoring the ends of said strips to the ends of the frame, said means comprising L-brackets having one arm pivotally connected to the side of the frame.

2. A canopy comprising a horizontal frame, central members mounted on the sides of said frame, resilient strips arched over said members and connected thereto, and means detachably anchoring the ends of said strips to the ends of the frame.

3. The combination with a substantially rectangular horizontal frame, of central upwardly projecting members mounted on the sides of said frame, resilient strips arched over said members and connected thereto, and means detachably anchoring the ends of said strips to the ends of the frame, said means comprising L-brackets having one arm pivotally connected to the side of the frame and the other arm projecting over the upper outer corner of the end of the frame and clamping the end of the strip thereto.

4. The combination with a substantially rectangular horizontal frame, of members mounted on the sides of said frame, resilient strips arched over said members, and means anchoring the ends of said strips to the frame.

5. The combination with a substantially rectangular horizontal frame, of members mounted on the sides of said frame, resilient strips arched over said members, and means anchoring the ends of said strips to the frame, said means comprising L-brackets having one arm pivotally connected to the side of the frame and the other arm projecting over the upper outer corner of the end of the frame and clamping the end of the strip thereto.

6. A swing awning frame comprising spaced parallel side members, end members pivotally connected at their ends to the ends of said side members, the side and end members normally forming a rectangle and being collapsible to form 5 a substantially closed parallelogram, opposed central uprights pivoted to said side members,

a central cross member pivotally connected at its ends to the upper ends of said uprights, one end of the cross member being adapted to be discon- 10 nected from the upright to collapse the parts with said side and end members, the end members having inwardly facing upwardly inclined opposed sockets therein, and spaced parallel resilient bows arched over said cross member and 15 having tapered ends detachably engaged in said sockets, the bows being adapted to be sprung upwardly to release the ends thereof from said sockets.

7. A swing awning frame comprising spaced parallel side members, end members pivotally connected to said side members, the side and end members being collapsible to form a substantially closed parallelogram, opposed uprights pivoted to said side members, a cross 25 member pivotally connected to said uprights, one end of the cross member being adapted to be disconnected from the upright to collapse the parts with said side and end members, the end members having inwardly facing upwardly in- 30 clined opposed sockets therein, and spaced parallel resilient bows arched over said cross member and having tapered ends detachably engaged in said sockets, the bows being adapted to be sprung upwardly to release the ends there- 35' of from said sockets.

8. A swing awning frame comprising spaced parallel side members, end members connected to said side members, opposed central uprights mounted on said side members, a top cross member connected to said uprights, the end members having inwardly facing upwardly inclined opposed sockets therein, and spaced parallel resilient bows arched over said cross member and having tapered ends detachably engaged in said 45 sockets, the bows being adapted to be sprung upwardly to release the ends thereof from said sockets.

9. A swing awning frame comprising spaced parallel side members, end members connected 50 to said side members, opposed central uprights mounted on said side members, a top cross member connected to said uprights, the end members having opposed sockets therein, and spaced resilient bows arched over said cross 55 member and having ends detachably engaged in said sockets.

10. A swing awning frame comprising spaced parallel side members, end members pivotally connected at their ends to the ends of said side 0 members, the side and end members normally forming a rectangle and being collapsible to form a substantially closed parallelogram, the end members having inwardly facing upwardly inclined opposed sockets therein, and spaced parallel resilient bows arched between said end members and having tapered ends detachably engaged in said sockets, the bows being adapted to be sprung upwardly to release the ends thereof from said sockets.

11. A swing awning frame comprising side members, end members connected to said side members, the end members having inwardly facing upwardly inclined opposed sockets therein, and spaced parallel resilient bows arched be- 75 tween said end members and having tapered ends detachably engaged in said sockets.

12. A swing awning frame comprising side members, end members connected to said side members, the end members having opposed sockets, and resilient bows arched between said end members and having ends engaged in said sockets.

13. A swing awning frame comprising spaced parallel end members, means connecting said end members to prevent them from spreading, spring bows arched between said end members, means connecting the ends of said bows to said end members, and means acting to hold said bows in position relative to said means connecting said end members, the end members and connecting means in erected position forming a rectangle and being collapsible to form at all times a closed parallelogram.

14. A swing awning frame comprising spaced parallel end members, means connecting said end members to prevent them from spreading, spring bows arched between said end members, and means acting to hold said bows in position relative to said means connecting said end members, the end members and connecting means in erected position forming a rectangle and being collapsible to form at all times a closed parallelogram.

15. In a canopy, a frame having horizontal end members and resilient bows arched between said members, said members having means anchoring the ends of said bows.

16. In a canopy, a frame having end members and resilient bows arched between said members, said members having means anchoring the ends of said bows.

EARL L. WEAVER. 

